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Cotto Judah – Blood, Guts, Heart and Class
TUE June 12, BUSTER PARIS - The blood streams out of a pinhole cut from Miguel’s chin, as if a piercing had gone horribly wrong, but the expression on his face hasn’t changed, it’s an emotionless mask of nothing.
He and Zab are locked in, head to head, and as Cotto slides his head gently, but firmly over to Judah’s shoulder, it looks like the crowning ceremonial slow dance from some bizarre Pugilistic Prom.
For a moment, it’s serene, and somewhat peaceful, then the moment is shattered by Miguel’s pulverizing left hooks to Zab’s ribcage, which force Zab to retreat and eventually find safety in taking a knee. It was the only way to stop this unending and unyielding onslaught.
But don’t count Judah out, the round isn’t over and he’s already flurrying back with punches that are just too hard and solid to be coming at such a great speed.
June 9th 2007 at the Mecca of boxing – New York’s Madison Square Garden, Miguel Cotto (W 30 - 25 ko's & L 0) and Zab “Super” Judah (W 34 -25 ko's & L 5) gave us an old school blood and guts war for more than just the shiny trinket and bragging rights of the WBA Welterweight belt and crown, but to prove to the world where and who they are.
For Cotto, this was the toughest and best opponent he has ever faced. That’s incredibly significant when you look at his record and resume, and consider all the accolades he’s been receiving. Let’s be honest, Zab Judah is more talented, unquestionably much faster and has far better skills than Miguel.
This fight gives Cotto meaning. Not that he’s been fighting nobodies, in fact he’s faced some great fighters, but no one the likes of Zab Judah, this was going to be the hardest fight of his life, against the best fighter he has ever faced.
For Judah, this fight is one of his most important fights, he needs to show the world that he is “super”, that he still has a passion for the game and is well deserving of being considered one of boxing’s elites. A win against the undefeated and highly acclaimed Miguel Cotto would catapult Zab back to superstar status.
The chatter on Judah lately is that he is good for 3 or 4 rounds and then losses it, losses his fire and interest in the fight, and becomes dangerously wobbly on the meltdown ledge. He needs to break through that.
He needs to give a great performance of no drama or poor sportsmanship. Simply put, he needs to show some class, and not be a punk. He needs to be a professional.
This was beyond a doubt a great fight. Never before had we seen these two warriors as battered and beat up looking as they were throughout the night. Both fighters were cut, bleeding, swollen and bruised, and both remarkably kept coming back for more.
The rounds were all great, and very similar. Cotto would raise his fists to his head, tuck his chin down and calmly go after Judah. He stalked Zab the entire night with a Hannibal Lector pulse rate and focus, as well as the emotionless intensity of a wrecking ball crashing and pounding into a building to take it down. Plain and simple, pulverize and destroy that which is in front of him.
For Judah, he would be on the run and the defensive most of the night. One big problem was that he wasn’t letting his hands go enough. He wasn’t throwing. But – when he did let the leather fly, he was dead on accurate. Zab was as usual incredibly fast of foot and of hands, and it was amazing to see just how powerful, solid and damaging his punches were, especially at that speed. It seemed slightly unnatural to have that much power, but he ain’t called “Super” for nothing, and he proved that point well.
In the end, Miguel’s complete unrelenting attack would be too much for Zab. The constant accumulation of pounding, flesh and bone-crushing bombs, would take their toll and referee Arthur Mercante Jr would stop the bout in the 11th round.
This was a special fight. The kind of fight that changes the perception of the two fistic artists that fought it.
For Cotto, he soundly beat the best fighter that he has ever faced. He was poised, patient, vigilant and undistracted, especially by his own cuts and blood. He proved to have tons of heart, guts and incredible determination to be the best.
He is what we hoped him to be. A great warrior. Not only the pride of Puerto Rico, but of everywhere. Great fight Miguel! – congrats.
For Judah, he comes out of this loss a better man. We saw him take some savage (unintentional) low blows, writhe in pain, but come back. He didn’t retaliate, he wasn’t a puss puss about it, he fought like a man, he showed he has class, and he earned great respect.
It’s important to note that Zab Judah kept his cool. Low blows, cuts, blood, the unstoppable storm of punches from Cotto – and Judah kept his cool, remained professional and fought with amazing heart, guts and more courage than he has ever shown.
It’s this Zab that can put to rest the ghost of the Zab that went after referee Jay Nady in 2001. It’s this Judah that can exorcise the memory of going after Roger Mayweather in 2006.
It’s this Zab Judah that is Super.
Post fight, Judah told HBO’s Larry Merchant that he’d like a rematch; he even said it could take place in Puerto Rico. Zab claims the early low blows really affected him and that he’d like another chance at Cotto.
I don’t want to see Cotto Judah II, but I’ve got to say, Zab really proved himself and I want to see him fight again.
How about Kermit Citron? – or “Sugar” Shane Mosley – or, and call me crazy – how about dropping 7 lbs and head over across the pond … 4 words for you:
Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.
THAT would be something!
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
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